[Team] Scuderia Toro Rosso: Now with HONDA

[mikuni]

I agree with you Razzzor.

One thing I did find interesting over this weekend, because I followed it closely hoping for a better performance from Brendon, was Gasley's Friday/Saturday comments. He was search for pace after Thursday and talked to his engineers about Brendons setup. Basically looking to copy. I do wonder how much is happening behind the scenes. There have been numerous stories over the years about one driver honing the set up and the other benefitting. I'm hoping Brendon is doing the hard yards and developing the car, the setup, the engine and will be invaluable to STR Honda, despite his apparent lack of performance come Saturday/Sunday.

[Mekola]

Originally Posted by steve_r

After the public kicking that Red Bull have given Renault, just imagine how badly RBR would react if hey had a slow and unreliable Honda unit instead.

With these posters, the result is planned.
Honda will be with RBR sooner or later.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by Mekola

Honda will be with RBR sooner or later.

I'd agree were it not for the big Aston Martin branding - I think if the new engine regs don't entice Aston Martin in with their own engine then yes the Honda is probably the best way to go for Red Bull (based on the same logic that McLaren used - you're going to struggle to beat a works team without a works engine). Based on performance so far I think the Honda is still too much of a gamble for Red Bull - another year in the Torro Rosso I'd have thought and then make the switch if Honda have closed the performance gap and got reliability under control (they do seem better in that regard so far this season).

[Richard C]

Unless they change their mind on timing, TR is likely to have upgraded ICE for both cars in Canada.

Richard

[Peter Mallett]

And Red Bull is unlikely to have the Renault upgrades for Canada.

[chillibowl]

if you were DR, would you re-sign with RBR if RBR decide to use Honda power for 2019?

[peebee2]

I think there could be a view that with Honda you actually have a greater chance of a title challenge as Cyril and his politico mates are unlikely to deliver that.

[GT6]

agreed customer renault unit will always be less than the one renault puts in it's own car if it has a chance of winning. Just look at the mercedes unit's given to the other teams compared to the one they use.

[wnut]

Originally Posted by GT6

agreed customer renault unit will always be less than the one renault puts in it's own car if it has a chance of winning. Just look at the mercedes unit's given to the other teams compared to the one they use.

This is exactly what the FIA legislated this year, the works and customer PU's are supposed to be identical in every way.
If not the works team should lose all the points they have gained this year.

How about fined double the customer's engine budget which will be paid to the customer team?

[wnut]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

if you were DR, would you re-sign with RBR if RBR decide to use Honda power for 2019?

If you were DR and you were offered either a Mercedes (preferable) or Ferrari contract, would you sign for RBR?

[S griffin]

Ricciardo is definitely key in this driver market

[Mekola]

Found a clue that didn't notice before.
RBR may stay with Renault, with a little preaching to Peach farmers...
People farmers... that go in wagons.
More explicit coulnd't be.

[S griffin]

I expect it to be Honda or best for 2019

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

I'd agree were it not for the big Aston Martin branding - I think if the new engine regs don't entice Aston Martin in with their own engine then yes the Honda is probably the best way to go for Red Bull (based on the same logic that McLaren used - you're going to struggle to beat a works team without a works engine). Based on performance so far I think the Honda is still too much of a gamble for Red Bull - another year in the Torro Rosso I'd have thought and then make the switch if Honda have closed the performance gap and got reliability under control (they do seem better in that regard so far this season).

Aston don't have the funding to do their own engine.

And since when did Andy Palmer become the spokesperson for RB on engines?! Lol.

Thoughtit was Horner's job.

[peebee2]

Maybe RBR should roll the dice and switch. As long as it doesn’t blow up more than once every 4 races difficult to see how they could do worse than with the Renault.

Similar to perhaps why STR should put Kubica in for Hartley. Really no downside at all, with at least the chance of upside if he proves he can still do it.

[F1Guy]

Another couple of names in the frame to replace Hartley??

Wehrlein, Giovinazzi and Kubica are the names that are being mentioned currently. And now there's talk of F2 points leader Lando Norris being in the mix also.

And perhaps another name will be thrown in the mix, after he (a Spanish world champion) has a test drive of the Toro Rosso at the Red Bull Ring today.

[S griffin]

Marquez in F1? Hmm, will he be the new Verstappen?

[chillibowl]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/44385107

Mclaren denied STR's request to rent Lando for the remainder of the season.

A McLaren spokesman said: "We are not surprised that other teams approach our drivers. They clearly believe they are as talented as we do."


a Mclaren spokesperson with a sense of humour might be the bigger story though!

[Peter Mallett]

Hartley must be really motivated.

[S griffin]

Not gonna help a driver’s confidence if replacements are constantly being lined up

[Armco Bender]

Todays rumoured driver replacement is ( insert name here ).

[Dixon9]

Hartley has already achieved more in his racing career than the majority of the F1 field ever will and is doing ok for someone who hasn't driven a single seater for years.

If Toro Rosso want to give him the flick for someone elses wonder child because they can't find anyone else they deem worthy to be Verstappen's eventual #2 then that reflects more on Red Bulls program than it does on the young drivers in the world.

[F1Guy]

A 30HP boost for the updated Honda engine from this weekend forward.


That is a big HP gain. But will the Honda hold together for more than one race?

[Racer65]

Originally Posted by Dixon9

Hartley has already achieved more in his racing career than the majority of the F1 field ever will and is doing ok for someone who hasn't driven a single seater for years.

If Toro Rosso want to give him the flick for someone elses wonder child because they can't find anyone else they deem worthy to be Verstappen's eventual #2 then that reflects more on Red Bulls program than it does on the young drivers in the world.

[Greem]

Originally Posted by Armco Bender

Todays rumoured driver replacement is ( insert name here ).

They asked me, but I'm already under a driver contract to my kids...